Community Calendar

The Cortez Journal encourages people to submit announcements about upcoming events for the Community Calendar. Send announcements to news@cortezjournal.com. Items submitted at least two weeks in advance will have a better chance of getting published; items submitted several days before the event might not get published. For more information, call the Journal at 565-8527.

Family Leadership Training Institute Open House

Applications for the 2013 Montezuma/Dolores County Class of the Colorado Family Leadership Training Institute (FLTI) are being accepted. The community is invited to join us for an FLTI Open House on Tuesday, Dec. 11 at 5:30 p.m. at the First National Bank in Cortez to learn more about Montelores Family Leadership Training Institute. FLTI is a series of classes on leadership training, civic literacy, and civic participation for those who wish to improve the lives of children and families in community. For more information, contact Trish Peters, FLTI Site Coordinator, at 560-1360 or nevermto@wildblue.net.

Cortez Middle School Winter Festival

On Thursday, Dec. 13, at 6 p.m., Cortez Middle School will be presenting its annual "Winter Festival," an evening highlighting the school's various elective programs for parents, students and community members in the CMS main gym. There will be items on display for viewing from 6 to 7 p.m. Artwork and images from the photography club will be on display, and there will be demonstrations by the technology class, as well as work completed by the world language and family and consumer science classes. Goodies prepared by the family and consumer science classes will be available for purchase, and the band will perform from 7 to 8 p.m. Admission is free and all are welcome. Come enjoy an evening of holiday cheer!

Boy Scouts flag retirement ceremony

Boy Scout Troop 518 will hold a flag retirement ceremony at 6:30 p.m. on Thursday, Dec. 13, at the Mancos Fire Station, 41595 Hwy. 160. The public is invited to attend; if you have flags that need to be retired, please bring them to the fire station by 6:15 p.m. The ceremony will be held outside, so dress warmly and come enjoy some hot chocolate and cookies! Contact Sensa Wolcott at 903-9882 for more information.

Winter Discovery Walk for Families

Join San Juan Mountains Association on Saturday, Dec. 15 from 10 a.m. to noon for the second program in the Southwest Colorado Winter Ecology Series: a Winter Discovery Walk for Families at Boggy Draw, near Dolores. We will focus on using our senses during this walk - how does winter look, smell, sound, feel, and even taste different from other seasons, and why? For ages 4-10, accompanied by an adult. Snowshoes are provided if needed. There is no charge. Contact SJMA to register (preregistration is requested), or schedule your own Winter Discovery Walk at 759-1170 or gabi@sjma.org. Walks can take place on easy terrain near Cortez, Mancos, Dolores or Durango.

Jingle Bell Dash 5k Run/Walk

The School Community Youth Collaborative (SCYC) will hold the 2nd Annual Jingle Bell Dash on Saturday, Dec. 15. The Dash is a 5k or 1 mile run/walk celebrating educators, and will begin with homemade hot cocoa and cider at 9:30 a.m. at Let It Grow Nursery and Garden Market in Cortez. The Elf Scurry, a short 100-yard dash will kick off the activities, followed by the 5k or 1 mile race, along with fun crafts for children ages 3-8. Parents must accompany young children. Santa will visit, and holiday carols will be performed by the M-CHS choir. The public may participate as a family, a team or individually, and costumes are invited. Participants are encouraged to raise pledges in support of our local educators. Discounted early registration fees are available through Friday, Dec. 7, at a rate of $15/person or $12/team member (four or more participants equals a team). After Dec. 7, registration fees increase to $18/person or $15/team member. Participants may also register the day of the race. Children ages 8 and under participate free. Registration and pledge forms, and more information is available at http://scycmontezuma.wix.com/jinglebelldash or call 529-0635.

Christmas story reading of Grandpa and the Christmas Crib

People of all ages (but especially families with children) will enjoy the charming Christmas story "Grandpa and the Christmas Crib," performed by J.W. Keleher at the Cortez Cultural Center from 5 to 7 p.m. on Friday, Dec. 15. The setting for the story is Poland and centers around the building of a traditional crib (manger) for the annual Krakow, Poland, competition. The Cultural Center is located at 25 N. Market St. For more information, call 565-1151.

Poetry with Yule bards you'll enjoy

Join Art Goodtimes, Rosemary Wahtola and David Feela for an intimate conversation of poems that promise to entertain and inspire from 5 to 7 p.m. on Wednesday, Dec. 19, at the Cortez Cultural Center, 25 N. Market St. Sweeter than sugar cookies, stronger than eggnog and more interesting than stocking stuffers. Listening is free and the event is open to the public. Wine and goodies will also be available for a donation. For more information, call 565-1151.